Prompt library
64 posing prompts, sorted by client type
A good prompt gives people something to do or feel instead of a pose to hold. They're sorted by camera type, because the prompt that makes one client laugh makes another one freeze.
Good Side 01A
The Golden Hour
How to photograph affectionate, calm clients
Prompt-led, low intensity. Set up a closeness cue, then wait. They need permission to linger more than they need instructions.
Full guide: warm-up, pacing, what to avoid- 1Forehead to forehead. Breathe in together, out together.
- 2Whisper the first thing you noticed about them.
- 3Slow dance, no music. Lead them in a tiny circle.
- 4Walk toward me holding hands, then stop and look at each other, not me.
- 5Sit close. One of you tells the other a secret, the other doesn't react yet.
- 6Hug from behind, chin on the shoulder, and sway.
- 7Close your eyes and just stand there for five seconds.
- 8Kiss the cheek, then stay there.
Good Side 02A
The Live Wire
How to photograph high-energy clients
Action prompts with boundaries. Tell them where to start and stop, then let them improvise inside the frame.
Full guide: warm-up, pacing, what to avoid- 1Run toward me, and whoever arrives second has to dip the other.
- 2Spin them out and pull them back in. Again, faster.
- 3Piggyback ride, and the passenger narrates like a sports commentator.
- 4Tell them the worst joke you know. Go.
- 5Walk away from me, then turn around on three like you just heard your name.
- 6Dance like it's the last song of the night.
- 7Try to make them laugh without talking.
- 8Jump on three. No, higher.
Good Side 03A
The Quiet Flame
How to photograph camera-shy clients
Pose first, then prompt. Give a concrete physical setup (feet, hands, where to look), then a gentle prompt inside it.
Full guide: warm-up, pacing, what to avoid- 1Stand close, your hand on their chest, and just listen to their heartbeat.
- 2Look down at your hands together, then slowly up at each other.
- 3Tell them, quietly, what you're looking forward to most.
- 4Rest your head on their shoulder and look at the horizon.
- 5Walk slowly, look at your feet, and try to match steps.
- 6Close your eyes. Think about the day you met.
- 7Nose to cheek. Don't kiss yet.
- 8Sit back to back and lean into each other.
Good Side 04A
The Storyteller
How to photograph expressive clients who need context
Scenario prompts. Frame each setup as a scene with a beginning, a twist and an ending, and narrate it for them.
Full guide: warm-up, pacing, what to avoid- 1You're late for a train. Walk fast, then one of you stops to steal a kiss.
- 2Reenact your first date, but badly.
- 3Read each other a pretend letter from your future selves.
- 4One of you has a secret. The other has to guess it from your face.
- 5You just got the best news of your life. React.
- 6Plan your dream vacation out loud. Point at the horizon like it's there.
- 7Pretend you're seeing each other across a crowded room for the first time.
- 8Toast to something only the two of you understand.
Good Side 05A
The Natural
How to photograph clients who hate posing
Light-touch, situational. Pick the place and the light, suggest an activity, then shoot what happens. Correct only the essentials.
Full guide: warm-up, pacing, what to avoid- 1Go explore that path for a bit. Pretend I'm not here.
- 2Sit there and talk about anything except the photos.
- 3Pick each other's outfits for the next trip, out loud.
- 4Walk to the water and tell me what you see.
- 5Find the best spot here to watch the sunset.
- 6Make a plan for dinner and argue about it.
- 7Lie down in the grass and look at the clouds.
- 8Teach them something you're good at.
Good Side 06A
The Wildcard
How to photograph clients who joke when nervous
Game-like prompts with a sincere landing. Set up a joke, then hold the camera after the laugh fades.
Full guide: warm-up, pacing, what to avoid- 1Give each other the most dramatic movie-poster stare. Now hold it until someone breaks.
- 2Whisper the worst pickup line you know.
- 3Thumb war. Loser has to say something nice.
- 4Do your best impression of me directing you.
- 5Walk like you're in a slow-motion action movie.
- 6Tell them something you've never told anyone, but make it funny.
- 7Try to keep a straight face while they tickle-poke you.
- 8After the laugh: look at each other and say nothing.
Good Side 07A
The Classic
How to pose clients who want clear direction
Pose-led. Give exact physical cues (weight on back foot, hands here, chin forward and down), then refine with one prompt for expression.
Full guide: warm-up, pacing, what to avoid- 1Weight on your back foot, turn toward them, and smile with your eyes only.
- 2Hold their hand at hip level and look at me. Now at each other.
- 3Stand behind, hands on their waist, both look at the camera.
- 4Walk slowly toward me in step, looking ahead.
- 5Seated, knees angled, hands stacked, chin slightly forward.
- 6Formal pose, then on three, look at each other and laugh.
- 7Look over your shoulder at me.
- 8Kiss, then pause halfway and smile.
Good Side 08A
The Slow Burn
How to photograph clients who hate being photographed
Low-pressure and activity-based. Give them something to do with their hands and their attention, and keep touch prompts light.
Full guide: warm-up, pacing, what to avoid- 1Walk away from me together and point at something interesting.
- 2Sit side by side and share a coffee. Just talk.
- 3Shoulder to shoulder, look at the view.
- 4Hold hands and swing them a little as you walk.
- 5Tell them what you're having for dinner tonight.
- 6Look at each other for three seconds. Whoever smiles first loses.
- 7Lean on that wall together, hands in pockets.
- 8Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and open them toward each other.
Photographer?
Know which prompts fit each client before the session.
Your clients take a 2-minute quiz. You get their type and a plan with the prompts in order.